Posted , 6 users are following.
HI I'm 23 and new here, I'm a little worried as I haven't been able to eat for 4 days because everything I eat makes me anxious. I had my first ever panic attack on Monday. It came out of no where and it was terrifying. It's now Thursday and ever since I haven't felt normal, light headed, can't walk too far without my heart beating fast. Just not myself. When will I begin to feel normal again and what can I do to help myself? Also, what can I eat? I'm starving! But I'm scared to eat please help x
0 likes, 11 replies
jane75220 RachaelIvy
Posted
Sorry to hear this. It is horrible, I went through somethingvery similaaaar some three years ago. Nothing could induce me to eat and I realised I was suffering from overwhelming anxiety but did not understand the reasons why.
If you don't eat then you will feel very weak. Do you know what triggered this off?
I would try to drink some milk and see if it helps then build up your fluid and food intake from there. A piece of toast helps to stave off nausea as well.
Relaxation breathing exercises are good too.
If you still feel ill tomorrow then I would suggest contacting a dr or the 111 services. We must all eat to sustain life it is very important. The dr may decide to arrange some therapy for you.
In the meantime have u got any Marmite in the house. A nice hot drink can work wonders until you can get to speak to a doctor.
Take care.
RachaelIvy jane75220
Posted
Thanks so much for your reply. I'm not sure what started it off. I'm in New Jersey at the moment I moved here for my husband a year ago. I've arranged to go back to England on the 21st may but his mother and father think that we're going to live here in this house and they're going to retire to Florida. I've been asking him for a long time to tell them that we'll be moving back but he just hasn't and I know they're going to be disappointed.
That's probably a part of it and last month a pet died suddenly which was very upsetting.
I went for a walk earlier and drank a banana and blueberry smoothie and felt good. When I got home I ate some spinach and lettuce which was fine, but then I tried to eat a boiled egg and as soon as hit my mouth I had to spit it out from anxiety.
I can't get to a doctors until I get back. I also quit smoking the day I had a panic attack so I've been smoke free for 4 days now. Maybe it could be withdrawl symptoms too?
Thanks so much for your reply I feel better just talking about it.
ariillustrates RachaelIvy
Posted
I'm on the recovery from the very same thing right now. Start with eating bland, basic foods. For a few weeks I was only eating bananas, rice cooked in chicken broth, toast, and egg whites. It wasn't really eating well, but it was enough to live off of and provided some nutrition. You will lose weight though, and not in a healthy way.
The problem with eating is that eating triggers the anxiety and panic attacks, but not eating makes your blood sugar low which can also be a trigger for anxiety. It's a lose-lose situation. Try the bland diet for a few weeks and slowly start to introduce more foods. It's been about two months for me, and I'm eating other food again, but my portions are limited and it takes me a long time to eat something. Even if you have to sit there for an hour just to eat one banana, do it. It will make you feel a little better. Also, make sure you're drinking plenty of water as well.
Just know that I'm right there with you and you're not alone in feeling this way too. Have you considered taking to a counselor? Some CBT could really help, and having that sort of support in place is good because they can monitor you and make sure you don't develop some sort of eating disorder. Also, make sure to talk to your GP. They might have some suggestions.
I really hope you feel better soon.
Ari
RachaelIvy ariillustrates
Posted
Thank you that does make me feel better. Spinach and toast was fine but anything else really kicks it off.
I'm pretty skinny anyway so I will be straight in to see my doctor when I hit home.
Thanks so much it's pretty scary but makes me feel better I'm not alone
RachaelIvy ariillustrates
Posted
Hope you feel better too and keep doing well ☺️
jane75220 ariillustrates
Posted
Hi
?I was wondering hat the mechanismis behind food/eatingtriggering off anxietypanic attacs? Is it due to the gut being the second brain with gaba receptors in it?
ariillustrates jane75220
Posted
I'm not particularly sure. I know that my food anxiety stems off from a few things. For one, I'm hypersensitive to sensations. I panic when chewing and feel like choking when swallowing. Also, I'm extremely fearful of food allergies. I also suffer from GERD, and often get chest pains from it.
I think it's a combination of irrational phobias, high anxiety, and acid reflux for me.
ariillustrates RachaelIvy
Posted
I'm glad you're going to see your GP! Let us know how it goes. I hope you are able to go back to eating regularly again. Try protein shakes, if you can stomach them, too.
wifeymamalei RachaelIvy
Posted
I've been dealing with the same thing...I'm scared to eat so much of anything being afraid it will trigger anxiety. It might be the sodium intake.
I noticed everytime I eat my heart races and it's a scary feeling. I can't do anything coz I'm afraid I'll make it worse.
Any suggestions?
I hope things will get better for you; but please eat.
Maybe smaller portions.
Good luck!
Needhelp_asap RachaelIvy
Posted
Hello there, I'm sorry you're going through this. I was like that for a month and then it was on and off for a lot more but at least I had some days where I wouldn't make 2 hours to eat. It's horrible.
Unfortunately, our stomach is our 2nd brain and whatever negative feeling we may have , e.g anxiety , directly affects it. Make it be indigestion, nausea, bloating, anything.
From your post , I can realise that you fear more from the fact that you're gonna get anxiety when you eat, than from the action itself, which makes sense. I was like that. I had connected food with anxiety, the thought of it made my nausea and anxiety worse. It's a cycle you have to break. You really have to force yourself to eat. Little by little, bite by bite. I lost so much weight because of this and my self estee dropped too as I was looking like a zombie. Please, go to your GP, you'll be referred to a counsellor and try to let it all out, talk to your counsellor. Please try to eat! not much, but every hour! Even if it's a cracker! You'll feel weak which will heighten your anxiety. I know the feeling. You will get through this! Keep us updated!
greentea30029 RachaelIvy
Posted
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